In response to the expanded vision God gave us for the ministry, early in 2016 we began developing strategies and making plans to fulfill His calling. These plans called for bold new undertakings, more support from partners, and increased man power to achieve what God was leading us to do.

As we look back over the past 12 months, we are astonished at what He accomplished through you. Take a look at what your support provided:

3 new schools educating over 400 children

1 new church

Daily food for 464 children and school staff

Employment for 63 Haitian workers

14 homes rebuilt or constructed from scratch

Medical clinics in 16 villages

Food and clean water for hundreds

Relief in the wake of Hurricane Matthew for multitudes

In addition, 373 short term missionaries served alongside us this year. Together, we passed out food and clean water to hundreds. And because of your enormous response to needs following Hurricane Matthew, we were able to offer relief and help to multitudes.

Check out this video celebrating your work in 2016:

You gave food. You provided shelter. You offered education and employment leading to opportunity and dignity. You shared the Gospel. You changed lives. We are amazed at God’s faithfulness and honored to partner with you! Thank you.

As we look to 2107, would you consider giving to Disciples’ Village so that we can continue the great things God has begun?

Recently, Rick Mann, a supporter of Disciples’ Village, contacted us with an idea. His birthday was coming up and he wanted to do something unique to celebrate. Rick asked if he could invite his friends and family to give to Disciples’ Village in lieu of giving him gifts.

I saw the idea on another website to Give Away Your Birthday and I loved the idea. I have plenty. I don’t need or want anything that would be more important than sending money to a ministry I trust completely to make a difference for as many people and for as far as the dollar will go.

We were blessed by Rick’s desire to bless others and excitedly worked with him to develop a special “Birthday Giving Page” on the DV website where people could give gifts in his honor. Seeing Rick’s generosity was a special treat, but it was also humbling to see the generosity of his friends and family as monetary gifts came in. We know the impact those gifts have on the lives of those we serve.

When we asked Rick about what led him to leverage his birthday in order to support ministry in Haiti, this is what he had to say:

“We have plenty here in the US. Our kids don’t have to pay for school through the 12th grade. In fact, a school bus will pick them up and drop them off. In Haiti it costs over $300 per year to send a child to school. They are required to wear uniforms and walk or hitch a ride on a tap tap to get them there and back. When you ask a parent there, “How can I pray for you?” and in the midst of the conversation you notice they are living on the side of a mountain, their restroom is a shallow hole in the ground, no running water, no electric, cooking over charcoal, with a blue tarp propped up by sticks and held down by rocks as their home, it’s not difficult to realize that $300 is a lot of money for them for education. Then the response to the question comes (which by the way was the same every time we asked it), “Pray that I can get a job so that I can send my children to school.”

Education is a big part of what we do in the villages we partner with in Haiti. Money raised through initiatives like Rick’s Birthday Giving helps Disciples’ Village change lives through education and village advancement. And knowing that we have supporters who pray for and invest in this ministry on an ongoing basis strengthens our efforts, and gives us the fuel needed to continue changing lives.

Rick has been involved with the ministry of Alex’s House and Disciples Village since it’s beginning in 2010:

“I met Bill Howard (founder) through Fairview Baptist church in Russell springs, Kentucky where I was pastor. During the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, Bill sent out an email to friends as a prayerful plea for help. The Holy Spirit moved in my heart as I read the email and I became attached to AH before we knew the name. The following July (2010) I made my first trip and fell deeper in love with the people, the children, and Haiti. I have lived the prayers of Bill’s heart related to God’s direction for the ministry. Watching God lead us to the existing [campus] location was nothing short of miraculous. Just as watching the vision for Disciples Village unfold has been nothing short of the miraculous inspiration of God. I’m sure that Alex is watching from the banister of Heaven with great Joy at what God has done and is doing.”

We are thrilled to share that over $7,000 was donated to the ministry of Disciples’ Village through Rick’s “Give Away Your Birthday” initiative!

Giving to the “least of these” is a special kind of blessing. Thank you for supporting ministry in Haiti in Rick’s honor. And a special “Thank You!” to Rick for Giving Away His Birthday in order to benefit needy people in Haiti.

If you are interested in “Giving Away Your Birthday” or a similar effort, contact our PR director, Beth Lawrence.

Thank you for reaching out to us with prayers for Disciples’ Village and the people of Haiti in light of Hurricane Matthew. We know you have prayed fervently and continue to pray. We see the evidence! Many were spared in situations that could have ended much differently. We see God’s hand of protection and we are so grateful.

However, there has been significant damage to living situations that were precarious before the storm. Now made more so by the wind, heavy rain, and flooding. Houses, schools, and churches need repairs in some cases, and in others to be completely rebuilt.

Many of you have asked how you can help. Our team is on the ground now with more staff and groups arriving in the next few days. We are primed and ready to offer food, medical attention, and building supplies to those who have been affected. We could greatly use financial support as we try to meet the needs around us.

If your church would like to make an impact on the people in Haiti, please consider taking up a love offering during your worship time this weekend and giving through our Disaster Relief Fund. All money given will go directly to those affected by the storm.

Thank you in advance for showing the compassion of Jesus Christ to people who are suffering. We are grateful to serve with you!

Ps – We have set up a Disaster Relief Page with news, updates, and pictures. This is a great way for you to view damage, hear about needs, and see progress.

Rain has started to fall and winds are picking up as Hurricane Matthew makes it’s way toward Haiti. Forecasts predict that this will be a powerful storm, and multitudes will be impacted.

At the Disciples’ Village grounds and across the path at the Orphanage, we are hunkered down and thankful for a solid structure built by many of your own hands. But we know there are multitudes in the surrounding villages who will be weathering this storm in homes made of tarp, tin, sticks, and cardboard. Please pray God’s divine protection on the people of Haiti.

After the storm passes, there will be great need for food, medical, and building supplies. We will be ready to help however we can. You can help by donating to our Hurricane Disaster Relief fund. All monies given will be used to help those affected by the storm.

As we wait to see how this storm plays out, we are very thankful for you. We know you stand with us, ready to help. We know you pray for us, we can feel it! Thank you for joining us long before today and for remaining with us. Your support over the years has put us in the position to be used by Him in the aftermath of this storm.